BELIZE CITY–n mid-March of this year, contracts were signed for the construction of the Chetumal Street Bridge, which is intended to link the Belama and Fabers Road areas in Belize City, and this week, the new bridge, which we understand is 95% complete, has been partially opened to vehicular traffic.

Yesterday, Errol Robateau, the project manager, told the media that the finishing touches are currently being put on the bridge — which is scheduled to be officially opened in January 2015 – and its approaches.

He said, “We have already completed about 95% of the bridge, and right now, we are working on the painting and design of the bridge, as well as the electrical lighting. We will also work on fixing up the approach [to the bridge] much better. The approach is like 18 inches above the flatland, so we are putting a slight seal on the hardcore [material] to smooth off the surface.”

Nine months ago, the Government of Belize (GOB) signed a $2.2 million contract for the bridge design and construction with M and M Engineering, while a $2.7 million contract for the filling of the bridge approaches and assembly of the bridge went to CISCO Construction.

The Chetumal Street Bridge – which is expected to alleviate traffic congestion on the two major highways while providing ease of access to the north and south sides of the Old Capital for at least 10,000 to 12,000 city residents – will connect Chetumal Street in Belama Phase One in north side Belize City, to a new road which runs from the George Price Highway, near the Fabers Road junction on the south side of the city, to the Haulover Creek.